<< Previous   of   Next >> Contributed photo  (click to enlarge) University of Washington senior Catherine Henderson is the winner of the Song of Washington lyrics contest. Her song, "Rise Up With Pride For Washington" will not replace the alma mater or fight song but will be added to the university's song collection.8 Contributed photo  (click to enlarge) University of Washington senior Catherine Henderson waves to the crowd at a gala celebrating the end of the university's "Creating Futures" fundraising campaign Sept. 26. She was recognized for winning the Song of Washington lyrics contest. Her song, "Rise Up With Pride For Washington" will not replace the alma mater or fight song but will be added to the university's song collection.

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CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE Jocelyn Robinson, Copy editor jrobinson@heraldnet.com

Shoreline resident writes new song for the UW

By Amy Daybert
Enterprise editor

By the end of the year, Shoreline resident Catherine Henderson will have earned her degree from the University of Washington. But while she's leaving the campus behind, her name will forever be a part of the university's repertoire of songs.

Henderson, 51, entered the university's Song of Washington lyric contest in May. In September she learned her lyrics, "Rise Up With Pride For Washington" had been selected from 382 entries and she had won $1,000 and a lifetime Alumni Association membership.

"The alma mater is dated and they wanted something everybody could relate to," Henderson said Oct. 3. "I thought my song sets a tone for participation, people can stand up and interact."

Henderson, a mother of three and a Shoreline High School graduate, said she decided to enter after her husband, Michael, read about the contest in The Seattle Times. She wrote the chorus and two verses in one day, entered the lyrics online and kept her fingers crossed that her song would be chosen.

"I figured I had just a good of a chance as anybody," the senior humanities major said.

The song needed to have a hymn-like quality that was reminiscent of her first trip to the Suzzalo Library's reading room with her sociology of religion class, Henderson decided. That experience, combined with the lessons of chivalrous codes and honor in her Arthurian legends class, inspired the lyrics.

"It's like what they call the perfect storm," she said. "The classes I was taking at the time helped a lot."

Bill Conti, the composer of themes from "Rocky" and "The Right Stuff" wrote the melody. Henderson heard the finished product for the first time shortly after she received the news that her lyrics were chosen. The song was officially unveiled during a gala celebrating the end of a fundraising campaign at Dempsey Indoor facility on Sept. 26 but will also be performed at the Nov. 8 Washington vs. Arizona State football game.

Winning the contest is a wonderful accumulation of an academic journey for Henderson, who decided to go back to school after her three children reached adulthood. Her family, including a son and daughter who are UW alumni, are supportive while she works as a dental assistant during the day and takes classes at night.

"Words can't even describe how proud we are of her," Henderson's daughter, Monica Sylte said. "When she said she was going to do the contest I think we were like 'Here's another thing that mom is doing.' She's the busiest person I know and she's always trying new things. It's admirable and something to look up to."

Henderson learned how to play the guitar at the age of six. She picked up the guitar again seven years ago and played with several bands before forming Quarter Past 8 with her husband. She hopes she will have more time to work on original pieces for her band after graduation in December. Maybe the band will work on a rendition of "Rise Up With Pride For Washington," she said.

But one thing is certain. She'll always be proud to be a Husky.

"To be associated with the university … I still get a lump in my throat," she said. "Words can't describe. What a great way to end my school academic sojourn."